An Atheist's History of Belief: Understanding Our Most Extraordinary Invention

- Matthew Kneale discusses his book with Raj Persaud

What first prompted prehistoric man, sheltering in the shadows of
deep caves, to call upon the realm of the spirits?

And why has belief thrived ever since, leading us to invent heaven
and hell, sin and redemption, and above all, gods?

Religion reflects our deepest hopes and fears; whether you are a
believer or, like Matthew Kneale, a non-believer who admires
mankind's capacity to create and to imagine, it has shaped our
world. And as our dreams and nightmares have changed over the
millennia, so have our beliefs - from shamans to Aztec priests,
from Buddhists to Christians: the gods we created have evolved with
us.

Belief is humanity's most epic invention. It
has always been our closest companion and greatest consolation. To
understand it is to better understand ourselves.​